Author Visit: If It Takes a Scandal by Ruth Ann Nordin

A liberated widow. An impoverished earl. A forced marriage may be just what they needed…

Lady Candace Daniel is finally free from her cruel, abusive husband. He’s in no position to order her around from six-feet under. And with all the fun she’s having on the social circuit, she intends to never let a man have that kind of power again…

Corin St. George has inherited an earldom and a ramshackle estate. He’s toiled for years to restore the property to its former glory, and he has little respect for the noblewomen around him squandering their husbands’ fortunes…

But when Corin is thrust into a compromising predicament at a ball, he’s forced to marry Candace, the unlucky widow who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Neither spouse has an interest in being together… until friends and fate conspire to show them the possibility of love…

If It Takes a Scandal is the fourth and final book in the Marriage by Bargain series. If you like 19th century settings, stubborn but lovable characters, and second chances at happiness, then you’ll love Ruth Ann Nordin’s marital tale.

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The vicar cleared his throat. “If we are all gathered together, I can begin the wedding ceremony.”

Before he spoke, Candace turned to face Corin. “Before we begin, I have a request to make of you.”

“I don’t think you’re in the position of making requests,” Corin replied, a sharpness underlying his words. He was struggling to remain polite but was having difficulty doing so.

But Candace was not going to let his bad mood deter her. She would not let fear hold her back anymore. So keeping her tone firm, she said, “I want to live in separate townhouses.”

Corin’s eyebrows rose in surprise, and he finally gave her a good, hard look, as if to determine how serious she was.

Anna hurried over to her side. “Think of it, my lord. There are benefits to such an arrangement. Your marriage will still satisfy the scandal, but you won’t be restricted to the bonds of a wife. Your life will still be your own.”

“It will be a marriage in name only,” Jason added.

Corin’s gaze went from them and back to Candace. “I was going to propose the same thing once the ceremony ended.”

Candace felt that flutter of hope emerge once more. “You were?”

He nodded. “I was going to suggest an arrangement where you live in your townhouse, and I live in mine. I will allow you an allowance once a month. But only once a month. You will not be allowed to spend more than what I give you.”

“You’re worried about how much of your money I’ll spend?” Candace asked.

“Isn’t every gentleman worried about how much money his wife will waste?” Corin asked.

Candace turned her attention back to Corin. So he was worried about money. He was afraid she’d be one of those wives who would run his estate into financial ruin. This could very well work to her advantage! She had more than enough money to last her three lifetimes if she wished. But he didn’t realize that because if he did, he wouldn’t make such a ridiculous offer of an allowance.

“I have another idea,” Candace began. “If you don’t come to my bed, I won’t take a single farthing from you.”

The vicar gasped, but she ignored him.

Corin studied her expression. “Are you being serious?”

“Very,” she replied.

“But he needs an heir,” the vicar told her, and despite his hushed tone, everyone could hear him. “He’s a titled gentleman.”

“He’s a titled gentleman who’s worried about his money,” she replied, not breaking eye contact with Corin. She could tell by the way Corin’s eyebrows furrowed that he was weighing the pros and cons of such an arrangement. “What good is an heir if there’s nothing in the bank?” she continued, hoping it would settle the debate he was having within himself.

At once, he made his decision. “I’ll accept that arrangement,” he told her.

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For your chance to win a digital copy of If It Takes a Scandal

Just comment below to answer this question…

If you had to spend three months in a remote place

with no Internet, no TV, and no books, how would you pass the time?

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About Ruth Ann Nordin

Ruth Ann Nordin is a stay-at-home mom of four school-aged boys and the proud wife of a veteran of the US Air Force. She lives in a small Nebraska town where she’s fortunate to spend her days creating new worlds with her characters who tell her what to do. She’s written almost fifty romances ranging from Regencies, historical westerns, to contemporaries.

Thanks for the chance. The excerpt is scandalous. Perfectly suitable for me. As you forgot to mention mobile, I’ll read books using the kindle app. 🙂 Starting a journal full of daily experiences would be awesome too. Writing in the dairy is simply fun. <3

Thanks for another excellent book. I would spend 3 months reading, I never seem to be able to catch up or keep up my reading liat. Between my kindle and fire tablet I read on dialysis until I get sleepy which is two chapters. Lol

Three months without internet, TV, or books! Well I’d definitely cook and bake (hopefully I’d have a freezer to save everything I made). I’d create stories in my mind, as I often did growing up, and, I’d write them, by hand in a notebook, if I didn’t at least have a typewriter and paper. I’d sew, by sewing machine, or by hand, easy pillow covers and table place mats. I’d write letters to family and friends. My Rosary Daily to the Blessed Lady and The Chaplet of Mercy to the dear Lord takes care of one hour daily. I’d do what housework I’m capable of, and I’d make sure to tire myself out so that I would sleep through the night, so I could begin the next morning finding ways to keep busy and tire myself out again. I’d adopt a cat or a dog. They need lots of love, attention and time.

Good heavens, I would go crazy. No books, no way. Well, let me think. Wait …..you didn’t say we couldn’t have our E readers, so there! it’s full of over 18,000 books and I will be very happy reading on the kindle white paper. But wait, how would I download the books which are still in the cloud of amazon forever land if I am in a remote place without electricity? This is a problem. By hook or crook there would have to be a way! If not I would sleep, walk in the country side, bird watch, and just live free from the burdens of our fast paced every day life. I love solitude and nature, so I would be happy (even if I didn’t have the kindle).

I would not mind being without TV or internet, but I would have a harder time without books. I have a lot of books downloaded on my kindle, so as long as I had electricity I could still read. I also love to crochet whenever my arthritic hands allow me. I love to swim, take walks, and enjoy the outdoors exploring. I might try writing, but I have never been very good at creative writing. I like to review books that I have read, but it always takes me forever to write them and hope they make sense. I always wanted to write a story about how my parents met and fell in love during World War II. I am a widow, and I never feel bored. I can always find something to keep me busy.